Business History Books » Business Management Consultant » Welll done Ray!
Welll done Ray!
Question:
Congratulations to Ray He found a way to post his URL and phone number 4 times in less than 30 minutes responding to Ernie’s post concerning the FTC allowing Carnival to bid for RCL And poor old George Leppla only got one in. It must be awful having no clients and just sitting there, day after day, hour after hour, reading each and every message on this newsgroup and posting hundreds of times a week just praying the phone will ring! Ah well when he goes under, there’s always fast food as a second career
Response:
You have got some people issues that you need to deal with. I would rather do what Ray does instead of bashing real people over a newsgroup. I realize that you are probably getting a huge kick out of this whole thing. Unless you are 12, which is what you sound like, I suggest you put some pants on, step away from the computer, and join the real world. I am curious though, why are you so above the rest of us?
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Congratulations to Ray > He found a way to post his URL and phone number 4 times in less than 30 > minutes responding to Ernie’s post concerning the FTC allowing Carnival to > bid for RCL > And poor old George Leppla only got one in. > It must be awful having no clients and just sitting there, day after day, > hour after hour, reading each and every message on this newsgroup and > posting hundreds of times a week just praying the phone will ring! > Ah well when he goes under, there’s always fast food as a second career
Response:
Sean, do what the rest of us have learned to do and just ignore him. I put him in my kill file long ago and I only see his posts when someone else quotes him. For some reason he has a huge dislike for TA’s and Carnival. I guess he has nothing better to do with his time. Gordon I’m going on the MGC-2003 http://www.mgc2003.com/
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> You have got some people issues that you need to deal with. I would rather > do what Ray does instead of bashing real people over a newsgroup. > I realize that you are probably getting a huge kick out of this whole thing. > Unless you are 12, which is what you sound like, I suggest you put some > pants on, step away from the computer, and join the real world. > I am curious though, why are you so above the rest of us? > Congratulations to Ray > He found a way to post his URL and phone number 4 times in less than 30 > minutes responding to Ernie’s post concerning the FTC allowing Carnival to > bid for RCL > And poor old George Leppla only got one in. > It must be awful having no clients and just sitting there, day after day, > hour after hour, reading each and every message on this newsgroup and > posting hundreds of times a week just praying the phone will ring! > Ah well when he goes under, there’s always fast food as a second career
Response:
Maybe Ray and George need to join a nice local travel agency with a nice office in a mall, no complaints against them that has been in business for many years. Maybe some place like Duke’s Travel Adventures in California. No wait, they stole all their clients money and went out of business, while Ray and George are still making people happy with nice vacations. Funny how that works.
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Congratulations to Ray > He found a way to post his URL and phone number 4 times in less than 30 > minutes responding to Ernie’s post concerning the FTC allowing Carnival to > bid for RCL > And poor old George Leppla only got one in. > It must be awful having no clients and just sitting there, day after day, > hour after hour, reading each and every message on this newsgroup and > posting hundreds of times a week just praying the phone will ring! > Ah well when he goes under, there’s always fast food as a second career
Response:
> No wait, they stole all their clients money and went out of business, while > Ray and George are still making people happy with nice vacations. Funny how > that works.
I kind of have to laugh at Paul. For the first 5 years I was open, I was in a storefront location. As the business changed, the focus of my business changed and 4 years ago I moved into a home office. By doing this I am able to work more hours and provide more efficient service to my customers than when I was in the storefront. Consequently, my business is more profitable. According to Paul, I was a good bet back in the old days but now I am not. BTW – Thanks Mike for mentioning my name. It gives me another opportunity to post! <vbg> — George in PA Countryside Travel www.countryside-travel.com Hell Freezes Over www.cruisemaster.com/voyager.htm Norway 2 www.cruisemaster.com/norway
Response:
>I kind of have to laugh at Paul.
Hi George, Yeah, he is always good for a laugh. It is just one of his many inaccuracies that old Slinky writes about us. I always get a kick out of him saying we live in apartments. Of course that is not true but he has never let the truth get in the way of his "story". <;+) Best regards, Ray LIGHTHOUSE TRAVEL 800-719-9917 or 805-566-3905 http://www.lighthousetravel.com
Response:
> I always get a kick out >of him saying we live in apartments. Of course that is not true
OH!!! So then you DO live in trailers!
Response:
Paul, you are hereby banished to my killfile…..go on get in there…….urumph…..there. Now be a good little troll and stay off this NG! Ray and George, don’t let the bastards get you down! MrTractor
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Congratulations to Ray > He found a way to post his URL and phone number 4 times in less than 30 > minutes responding to Ernie’s post concerning the FTC allowing Carnival to > bid for RCL > And poor old George Leppla only got one in. > It must be awful having no clients and just sitting there, day after day, > hour after hour, reading each and every message on this newsgroup and > posting hundreds of times a week just praying the phone will ring! > Ah well when he goes under, there’s always fast food as a second career
Response:
> I always get a kick out >of him saying we live in apartments. Of course that is not true > OH!!! So then you DO live in trailers!
That conjures up a wonderful image of Ray and George sitting side by side at the same dinette table in their seedy trailers, each with only four teeth remaining, working on their websites, and waiting for Jerry Springer to call. <VBG>
Response:
I was thinking… Trump Tower. 
–Tom – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I always get a kick out >of him saying we live in apartments. Of course that is not true > OH!!! So then you DO live in trailers!
Response:
Could be he’d have better luck with the trailers, since when he came to speak in Palm Beach a few days ago, hardly anyone showed up. That’s Jerry Springer I’m talking about. As for the four teeth, I’ve seen George eating shrimp. You need a lot more than 4 teeth to gobble them up the way he does. <VBG> As for Ray, I’ve never met nor seen a pix of him; will hold further opinion <G> Arlene – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> > I always get a kick out > >of him saying we live in apartments. Of course that is not true > OH!!! So then you DO live in trailers! > That conjures up a wonderful image of Ray and George sitting side by side at > the same dinette table in their seedy trailers, each with only four teeth > remaining, working on their websites, and waiting for Jerry Springer to > call. <VBG>
Response:
Let me translate this for everyone. Like many small mom-and-pop agencies, George couldn’t make it as a real Travel Agent. When consumers wised up and realized that can save money and get better service by booking direct booking over the Internet, his sales dropped. Then airlines, hotels and rental cars offered even greater discounts to encouraged electronic booking and reduced or eliminated Travel Agent commissions. George was hit by a double whammy. He had to close up shop, get rid of the staff and work out of his house to stay afloat. Since airlines, hotels, rental cars and resorts encourage direct electronic booking, cruises are now all he has left. Like the other Internet Cruise Travel Agents working out of their houses or apartments, he’s stuck in a descending spiral. He has few repeat clients and cruise tariffs are continually dropping thus further eroding his sales. He can’t afford to do any real advertising so his website and constantly posting his URL on rec.travel.cruises is all he has left. It won’t last much longer. When Cruise Lines do what the airlines and hotels did and encourage direct electronic booking we’ll finally be rid of these parasites.
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> No wait, they stole all their clients money and went out of business, > while > Ray and George are still making people happy with nice vacations. Funny > how > that works. > I kind of have to laugh at Paul. For the first 5 years I was open, I was in > a storefront location. As the business changed, the focus of my business > changed and 4 years ago I moved into a home office. By doing this I am able > to work more hours and provide more efficient service to my customers than > when I was in the storefront. Consequently, my business is more profitable. > According to Paul, I was a good bet back in the old days but now I am not. > BTW – Thanks Mike for mentioning my name. It gives me another opportunity to > post! <vbg> > — > George in PA > Countryside Travel www.countryside-travel.com > Hell Freezes Over www.cruisemaster.com/voyager.htm > Norway 2 www.cruisemaster.com/norway
Response:
> Let me translate this for everyone. > Like many small mom-and-pop agencies, George couldn’t make it as a real > Travel Agent. When consumers wised up and realized that can save money and > get better service by booking direct booking over the Internet, his sales > dropped.
Paul, I sure do wish you had an "in" at the IRS. They seem to be taking a different view of my business than you do. I am a bit puzzled though. In one post you tell people to only deal with storefront agencies and now you are saying that storefront agencies are going broke and are closing their doors. You might want to get the dosage changed on some of your meds. We wouldn’t want you going schizo on us again. > It won’t last much longer. When Cruise Lines do what the airlines and > hotels did and encourage direct electronic booking we’ll finally be rid of > these parasites.
Speaking of parasites, how are things on the Unemployment line these days. Ooops… I’m sorry, I know you like to refer to yourself as a "consultant". Now that you are getting close to retirement age I see that a lot of your fellow "consultants" are getting back into the work force by finding consulting positions behind the grill at their local McDonald’s. OK so it isn’t a high profile job but you get free uniforms which you can wear with the bowling shoes you "borrowed" from the Bowl-A-Rama and when the 17 year old shift manager isn’t watching, you can "borrow" as many Big Mac’s as you can stuff in your pants pockets. I know, it isn’t the fine dining that you are used to like those Friskies Prime Cuts-o-Fish Innards, but times are tough and I’m sure you’ll do fine. Keep taking your meds and try real hard to remember to attend those Anger Management classes. You are making such good progress and we are all proud of you. Your friend, George in PA Countryside Travel www.countryside-travel.com Hell Freezes Over www.cruisemaster.com/voyager.htm Norway 2 www.cruisemaster.com/norway
Response:
Sean, Paul is a resident troll and complete idiot that has never posted anything useful in this newsgroup. For that reason most of us have killfiled him and never see his asinine posts unless they are quoted. It is really much better never to see anything he posts. Jim
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> You have got some people issues that you need to deal with. I would rather > do what Ray does instead of bashing real people over a newsgroup. > I realize that you are probably getting a huge kick out of this whole thing. > Unless you are 12, which is what you sound like, I suggest you put some > pants on, step away from the computer, and join the real world. > I am curious though, why are you so above the rest of us? > Congratulations to Ray > He found a way to post his URL and phone number 4 times in less than 30 > minutes responding to Ernie’s post concerning the FTC allowing Carnival to > bid for RCL > And poor old George Leppla only got one in. > It must be awful having no clients and just sitting there, day after day, > hour after hour, reading each and every message on this newsgroup and > posting hundreds of times a week just praying the phone will ring! > Ah well when he goes under, there’s always fast food as a second career
Response:
This is making perfect sense to me. The same person who said this: > customers realized that can save money and get better service by booking
direct booking over the Internet, also said this > Avoid the "Internet Agents".
and this: > book direct with the cruise line? Not only will you save money by cutting
out the middle man So, you shouldn’t deal with internet agents, yet customers have realized you can save money and get better service by booking direct booking (whatever that is) over the internet? Thanks for the translation, it’s much clearer now.
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Let me translate this for everyone. > Like many small mom-and-pop agencies, George couldn’t make it as a real > Travel Agent. When consumers wised up and realized that can save money > and > get better service by booking direct booking over the Internet, his sales > dropped. > Paul, I sure do wish you had an "in" at the IRS. They seem to be taking a > different view of my business than you do. I am a bit puzzled though. In > one post you tell people to only deal with storefront agencies and now you > are saying that storefront agencies are going broke and are closing their > doors. You might want to get the dosage changed on some of your meds. We > wouldn’t want you going schizo on us again. > It won’t last much longer. When Cruise Lines do what the airlines and > hotels did and encourage direct electronic booking we’ll finally be rid of > these parasites. > Speaking of parasites, how are things on the Unemployment line these days. > Ooops… I’m sorry, I know you like to refer to yourself as a "consultant". > Now that you are getting close to retirement age I see that a lot of your > fellow "consultants" are getting back into the work force by finding > consulting positions behind the grill at their local McDonald’s. OK so it > isn’t a high profile job but you get free uniforms which you can wear with > the bowling shoes you "borrowed" from the Bowl-A-Rama and when the 17 year > old shift manager isn’t watching, you can "borrow" as many Big Mac’s as you > can stuff in your pants pockets. I know, it isn’t the fine dining that you > are used to like those Friskies Prime Cuts-o-Fish Innards, but times are > tough and I’m sure you’ll do fine. > Keep taking your meds and try real hard to remember to attend those Anger > Management classes. You are making such good progress and we are all proud > of you. > Your friend, > George in PA > Countryside Travel www.countryside-travel.com > Hell Freezes Over www.cruisemaster.com/voyager.htm > Norway 2 www.cruisemaster.com/norway
Response:
Back in the 1950’s, my Mother had a question for the likes of you, Paul. "If you’re so damn smart, why aren’t you rich?" Nuff said. MisterEd <— Another home-based cruiser.
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Let me translate this for everyone. > Like many small mom-and-pop agencies, George couldn’t make it as a real > Travel Agent. When consumers wised up and realized that can save money and > get better service by booking direct booking over the Internet, his sales > dropped. Then airlines, hotels and rental cars offered even greater > discounts to encouraged electronic booking and reduced or eliminated Travel > Agent commissions. George was hit by a double whammy. > He had to close up shop, get rid of the staff and work out of his house to > stay afloat. > Since airlines, hotels, rental cars and resorts encourage direct electronic > booking, cruises are now all he has left. Like the other Internet Cruise > Travel Agents working out of their houses or apartments, he’s stuck in a > descending spiral. He has few repeat clients and cruise tariffs are > continually dropping thus further eroding his sales. He can’t afford to do > any real advertising so his website and constantly posting his URL on > rec.travel.cruises is all he has left. > It won’t last much longer. When Cruise Lines do what the airlines and > hotels did and encourage direct electronic booking we’ll finally be rid of > these parasites. > > No wait, they stole all their clients money and went out of business, > while > > Ray and George are still making people happy with nice vacations. Funny > how > > that works. > I kind of have to laugh at Paul. For the first 5 years I was open, I was > in > a storefront location. As the business changed, the focus of my business > changed and 4 years ago I moved into a home office. By doing this I am > able > to work more hours and provide more efficient service to my customers than > when I was in the storefront. Consequently, my business is more > profitable. > According to Paul, I was a good bet back in the old days but now I am > not. > BTW – Thanks Mike for mentioning my name. It gives me another opportunity > to > post! <vbg> > — > George in PA > Countryside Travel www.countryside-travel.com > Hell Freezes Over www.cruisemaster.com/voyager.htm > Norway 2 www.cruisemaster.com/norway
Response:
Hi Mike, There ya go again Mike, 2 plus 2 equals 5 right. Direct booking over the internet means exactly that — booking electronically directly with the actual service provider (airline, hotel, cruise line, rental agency, resort, etc.), not through an "Internet Agent". An "Internet Agent" as you call them, is another word for a middleman. In this case one who merely adds cost while providing virtually no value added. The Air, Hotel, and Rental Car segments of the travel industry recognized this. They now provide the consumer with incentives for direct electronic booking thus passing on some of their cost savings to him. They have also reduced or eliminated most TA commissions and in some cases add a surcharge for those that demand paper tickets. Look Mike, rather than continually screw up what people are staying, I think it would be better if you stuck to your specific area of expertise — pictures of snowmen. Your friend Paul
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> This is making perfect sense to me. The same person who said this: > customers realized that can save money and get better service by booking > direct booking over the Internet, > also said this > Avoid the "Internet Agents". > and this: > book direct with the cruise line? Not only will you save money by cutting > out the middle man > So, you shouldn’t deal with internet agents, yet customers have realized you > can save money and get better service by booking direct booking (whatever > that is) over the internet? > Thanks for the translation, it’s much clearer now. > > Let me translate this for everyone. > > Like many small mom-and-pop agencies, George couldn’t make it as a real > > Travel Agent. When consumers wised up and realized that can save money > and > > get better service by booking direct booking over the Internet, his > sales > > dropped. > Paul, I sure do wish you had an "in" at the IRS. They seem to be taking a > different view of my business than you do. I am a bit puzzled though. In > one post you tell people to only deal with storefront agencies and now you > are saying that storefront agencies are going broke and are closing their > doors. You might want to get the dosage changed on some of your meds. We > wouldn’t want you going schizo on us again. > > It won’t last much longer. When Cruise Lines do what the airlines and > > hotels did and encourage direct electronic booking we’ll finally be rid > of > > these parasites. > Speaking of parasites, how are things on the Unemployment line these days. > Ooops… I’m sorry, I know you like to refer to yourself as a > "consultant". > Now that you are getting close to retirement age I see that a lot of your > fellow "consultants" are getting back into the work force by finding > consulting positions behind the grill at their local McDonald’s. OK so it > isn’t a high profile job but you get free uniforms which you can wear with > the bowling shoes you "borrowed" from the Bowl-A-Rama and when the 17 year > old shift manager isn’t watching, you can "borrow" as many Big Mac’s as > you > can stuff in your pants pockets. I know, it isn’t the fine dining that > you > are used to like those Friskies Prime Cuts-o-Fish Innards, but times are > tough and I’m sure you’ll do fine. > Keep taking your meds and try real hard to remember to attend those Anger > Management classes. You are making such good progress and we are all proud > of you. > Your friend, > George in PA > Countryside Travel www.countryside-travel.com > Hell Freezes Over www.cruisemaster.com/voyager.htm > Norway 2 www.cruisemaster.com/norway
Response:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >Hi Mike, >There ya go again Mike, 2 plus 2 equals 5 right. >Direct booking over the internet means exactly that — booking >electronically directly with the actual service provider (airline, hotel, >cruise line, rental agency, resort, etc.), not through an "Internet Agent". >An "Internet Agent" as you call them, is another word for a middleman. In >this case one who merely adds cost while providing virtually no value added. >The Air, Hotel, and Rental Car segments of the travel industry recognized >this. They now provide the consumer with incentives for direct electronic >booking thus passing on some of their cost savings to him. They have also >reduced or eliminated most TA commissions and in some cases add a surcharge >for those that demand paper tickets. >Look Mike, rather than continually screw up what people are staying, I think >it would be better if you stuck to your specific area of expertise — >pictures of snowmen. >Your friend >Paul
I believe online booking will escalate when the cruise lines actually begin giving discounts to people booking directly on their sites. Thumper – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> This is making perfect sense to me. The same person who said this: > > customers realized that can save money and get better service by booking > direct booking over the Internet, > also said this > > Avoid the "Internet Agents". > and this: > > book direct with the cruise line? Not only will you save money by >cutting > out the middle man > So, you shouldn’t deal with internet agents, yet customers have realized >you > can save money and get better service by booking direct booking (whatever > that is) over the internet? > Thanks for the translation, it’s much clearer now. > > > Let me translate this for everyone. > > > Like many small mom-and-pop agencies, George couldn’t make it as a >real > > > Travel Agent. When consumers wised up and realized that can save >money > > and > > > get better service by booking direct booking over the Internet, his > sales > > > dropped. > > Paul, I sure do wish you had an "in" at the IRS. They seem to be taking >a > > different view of my business than you do. I am a bit puzzled though. >In > > one post you tell people to only deal with storefront agencies and now >you > > are saying that storefront agencies are going broke and are closing >their > > doors. You might want to get the dosage changed on some of your meds. >We > > wouldn’t want you going schizo on us again. > > > It won’t last much longer. When Cruise Lines do what the airlines and > > > hotels did and encourage direct electronic booking we’ll finally be >rid > of > > > these parasites. > > Speaking of parasites, how are things on the Unemployment line these >days. > > Ooops… I’m sorry, I know you like to refer to yourself as a > "consultant". > > Now that you are getting close to retirement age I see that a lot of >your > > fellow "consultants" are getting back into the work force by finding > > consulting positions behind the grill at their local McDonald’s. OK so >it > > isn’t a high profile job but you get free uniforms which you can wear >with > > the bowling shoes you "borrowed" from the Bowl-A-Rama and when the 17 >year > > old shift manager isn’t watching, you can "borrow" as many Big Mac’s as > you > > can stuff in your pants pockets. I know, it isn’t the fine dining that > you > > are used to like those Friskies Prime Cuts-o-Fish Innards, but times are > > tough and I’m sure you’ll do fine. > > Keep taking your meds and try real hard to remember to attend those >Anger > > Management classes. You are making such good progress and we are all >proud > > of you. > > Your friend, > > George in PA > > Countryside Travel www.countryside-travel.com > > Hell Freezes Over www.cruisemaster.com/voyager.htm > > Norway 2 www.cruisemaster.com/norway
Response:
Oh, I understand it now, so direct booking is going directly with the cruise line is a sure fire way to save money, even though just minutes ago you posted that Sky Auction was able to sell a cruise for less then going direct with Carnival. So even though you say time and time again that the only way to save money is to go direct with the actual service provider, not through an internet agent (which by the way is your term, not mine, now you are saying stupid things then trying to blame others when you are quoted saying them), even though you just posted that going through an internet agent you can get a cruise for fifty cents per day. It’s so much clearer to me know, going direct, in this case booking over the internet directly with Carnival is the only way to save money, UNLESS somebody else happens to be selling it for fifty cents per day, and unless you happen to be the one to mention it. Anybody else who saves money is lying. Go ahead, change your story once again.
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hi Mike, > There ya go again Mike, 2 plus 2 equals 5 right. > Direct booking over the internet means exactly that — booking > electronically directly with the actual service provider (airline, hotel, > cruise line, rental agency, resort, etc.), not through an "Internet Agent". > An "Internet Agent" as you call them, is another word for a middleman. In > this case one who merely adds cost while providing virtually no value added. > The Air, Hotel, and Rental Car segments of the travel industry recognized > this. They now provide the consumer with incentives for direct electronic > booking thus passing on some of their cost savings to him. They have also > reduced or eliminated most TA commissions and in some cases add a surcharge > for those that demand paper tickets. > Look Mike, rather than continually screw up what people are staying, I think > it would be better if you stuck to your specific area of expertise — > pictures of snowmen. > Your friend > Paul > This is making perfect sense to me. The same person who said this: > > customers realized that can save money and get better service by booking > direct booking over the Internet, > also said this > > Avoid the "Internet Agents". > and this: > > book direct with the cruise line? Not only will you save money by > cutting > out the middle man > So, you shouldn’t deal with internet agents, yet customers have realized > you > can save money and get better service by booking direct booking (whatever > that is) over the internet? > Thanks for the translation, it’s much clearer now. > > > Let me translate this for everyone. > > > Like many small mom-and-pop agencies, George couldn’t make it as a > real > > > Travel Agent. When consumers wised up and realized that can save > money > > and > > > get better service by booking direct booking over the Internet, his > sales > > > dropped. > > Paul, I sure do wish you had an "in" at the IRS. They seem to be taking > a > > different view of my business than you do. I am a bit puzzled though. > In > > one post you tell people to only deal with storefront agencies and now > you > > are saying that storefront agencies are going broke and are closing > their > > doors. You might want to get the dosage changed on some of your meds. > We > > wouldn’t want you going schizo on us again. > > > It won’t last much longer. When Cruise Lines do what the airlines and > > > hotels did and encourage direct electronic booking we’ll finally be > rid > of > > > these parasites. > > Speaking of parasites, how are things on the Unemployment line these > days. > > Ooops… I’m sorry, I know you like to refer to yourself as a > "consultant". > > Now that you are getting close to retirement age I see that a lot of > your > > fellow "consultants" are getting back into the work force by finding > > consulting positions behind the grill at their local McDonald’s. OK so > it > > isn’t a high profile job but you get free uniforms which you can wear > with > > the bowling shoes you "borrowed" from the Bowl-A-Rama and when the 17 > year > > old shift manager isn’t watching, you can "borrow" as many Big Mac’s as > you > > can stuff in your pants pockets. I know, it isn’t the fine dining that > you > > are used to like those Friskies Prime Cuts-o-Fish Innards, but times are > > tough and I’m sure you’ll do fine. > > Keep taking your meds and try real hard to remember to attend those > Anger > > Management classes. You are making such good progress and we are all > proud > > of you. > > Your friend, > > George in PA > > Countryside Travel www.countryside-travel.com > > Hell Freezes Over www.cruisemaster.com/voyager.htm > > Norway 2 www.cruisemaster.com/norway
Response:
>There ya go again Mike, 2 plus 2 equals 5 right.
For sufficiently large values of 2 … Be seeing you In the Village Number 6
Response:
I met George last month on the Inspiration and with his huge smile be assured he has plenty of teeth, to go along with his neat personality. Also what is wrong with living in a trailer? I do and it’s paid for, and so is my 2002 Mercedes.
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Let me translate this for everyone. > Like many small mom-and-pop agencies, George couldn’t make it as a real > Travel Agent. When consumers wised up and realized that can save money and > get better service by booking direct booking over the Internet, his sales > dropped. Then airlines, hotels and rental cars offered even greater > discounts to encouraged electronic booking and reduced or eliminated Travel > Agent commissions. George was hit by a double whammy. > He had to close up shop, get rid of the staff and work out of his house to > stay afloat. > Since airlines, hotels, rental cars and resorts encourage direct electronic > booking, cruises are now all he has left. Like the other Internet Cruise > Travel Agents working out of their houses or apartments, he’s stuck in a > descending spiral. He has few repeat clients and cruise tariffs are > continually dropping thus further eroding his sales. He can’t afford to do > any real advertising so his website and constantly posting his URL on > rec.travel.cruises is all he has left. > It won’t last much longer. When Cruise Lines do what the airlines and > hotels did and encourage direct electronic booking we’ll finally be rid of > these parasites.
Paul, The only parasite I see is you. You are such a bore! After all these years, there is no hope for you~ you are the King of Misery! Jean
Response:
George and Ray, Should we tell Paul that 95% of all cruises are booked through travel agents? Or that over 80% of domestic airline tickets and 90% of international airline tickets are booked through travel agents? How about that in 1958, long before the internet was a twinkle in Al Gore’s eyes <G>, that airlines sold only 20% of their airline tickets through travel agents? Or that when airlines started cutting commissions, that the number of people booking their airline tickets through travel agents INCREASED? Perhaps that he doesn’t realize that when he buys tickets through sites such as Skyacution that he is really buying a ticket that already was pruchased through a travel agent. Or that travel agents actually can give you a better deal than the cruise lines, since the lines don’t refund the commission. Perhaps he doesm’t want to listen to the truth. Tom Smith
Response:
Correct Thumper. Currently they do not only because that would anger Travel Agents. Cruise Lines do not yet have the infrastructure to fully support on-line booking as the airlines, hotels and rental car agencies do so they need the agents. Of course is will change in time.
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->Hi Mike, >There ya go again Mike, 2 plus 2 equals 5 right. >Direct booking over the internet means exactly that — booking >electronically directly with the actual service provider (airline, hotel, >cruise line, rental agency, resort, etc.), not through an "Internet Agent". >An "Internet Agent" as you call them, is another word for a middleman. In >this case one who merely adds cost while providing virtually no value added. >The Air, Hotel, and Rental Car segments of the travel industry recognized >this. They now provide the consumer with incentives for direct electronic >booking thus passing on some of their cost savings to him. They have also >reduced or eliminated most TA commissions and in some cases add a surcharge >for those that demand paper tickets. >Look Mike, rather than continually screw up what people are staying, I think >it would be better if you stuck to your specific area of expertise — >pictures of snowmen. >Your friend >Paul > I believe online booking will escalate when the cruise lines actually > begin giving discounts to people booking directly on their sites. > Thumper >> This is making perfect sense to me. The same person who said this: >> > customers realized that can save money and get better service by booking >> direct booking over the Internet, >> also said this >> > Avoid the "Internet Agents". >> and this: >> > book direct with the cruise line? Not only will you save money by >cutting >> out the middle man >> So, you shouldn’t deal with internet agents, yet customers have realized >you >> can save money and get better service by booking direct booking (whatever >> that is) over the internet? >> Thanks for the translation, it’s much clearer now. >> > > Let me translate this for everyone. >> > > Like many small mom-and-pop agencies, George couldn’t make it as a >real >> > > Travel Agent. When consumers wised up and realized that can save >money >> > and >> > > get better service by booking direct booking over the Internet, his >> sales >> > > dropped. >> > Paul, I sure do wish you had an "in" at the IRS. They seem to be taking >a >> > different view of my business than you do. I am a bit puzzled though. >In >> > one post you tell people to only deal with storefront agencies and now >you >> > are saying that storefront agencies are going broke and are closing >their >> > doors. You might want to get the dosage changed on some of your meds. >We >> > wouldn’t want you going schizo on us again. >> > > It won’t last much longer. When Cruise Lines do what the airlines and >> > > hotels did and encourage direct electronic booking we’ll finally be >rid >> of >> > > these parasites. >> > Speaking of parasites, how are things on the Unemployment line these >days. >> > Ooops… I’m sorry, I know you like to refer to yourself as a >> "consultant". >> > Now that you are getting close to retirement age I see that a lot of >your >> > fellow "consultants" are getting back into the work force by finding >> > consulting positions behind the grill at their local McDonald’s. OK so >it >> > isn’t a high profile job but you get free uniforms which you can wear >with >> > the bowling shoes you "borrowed" from the Bowl-A-Rama and when the 17 >year >> > old shift manager isn’t watching, you can "borrow" as many Big Mac’s as >> you >> > can stuff in your pants pockets. I know, it isn’t the fine dining that >> you >> > are used to like those Friskies Prime Cuts-o-Fish Innards, but times are >> > tough and I’m sure you’ll do fine. >> > Keep taking your meds and try real hard to remember to attend those >Anger >> > Management classes. You are making such good progress and we are all >proud >> > of you. >> > Your friend, >> > George in PA >> > Countryside Travel www.countryside-travel.com >> > Hell Freezes Over www.cruisemaster.com/voyager.htm >> > Norway 2 www.cruisemaster.com/norway
Response:
go feed you kittens will ya
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Oh, I understand it now, so direct booking is going directly with the cruise > line is a sure fire way to save money, even though just minutes ago you > posted that Sky Auction was able to sell a cruise for less then going direct > with Carnival. So even though you say time and time again that the only way > to save money is to go direct with the actual service provider, not through > an internet agent (which by the way is your term, not mine, now you are > saying stupid things then trying to blame others when you are quoted saying > them), even though you just posted that going through an internet agent you > can get a cruise for fifty cents per day. > It’s so much clearer to me know, going direct, in this case booking over the > internet directly with Carnival is the only way to save money, UNLESS > somebody else happens to be selling it for fifty cents per day, and unless > you happen to be the one to mention it. Anybody else who saves money is > lying. > Go ahead, change your story once again. > Hi Mike, > There ya go again Mike, 2 plus 2 equals 5 right. > Direct booking over the internet means exactly that — booking > electronically directly with the actual service provider (airline, hotel, > cruise line, rental agency, resort, etc.), not through an "Internet > Agent". > An "Internet Agent" as you call them, is another word for a middleman. In > this case one who merely adds cost while providing virtually no value > added. > The Air, Hotel, and Rental Car segments of the travel industry recognized > this. They now provide the consumer with incentives for direct electronic > booking thus passing on some of their cost savings to him. They have also > reduced or eliminated most TA commissions and in some cases add a > surcharge > for those that demand paper tickets. > Look Mike, rather than continually screw up what people are staying, I > think > it would be better if you stuck to your specific area of expertise — > pictures of snowmen. > Your friend > Paul > > This is making perfect sense to me. The same person who said this: > > > customers realized that can save money and get better service by > booking > > direct booking over the Internet, > > also said this > > > Avoid the "Internet Agents". > > and this: > > > book direct with the cruise line? Not only will you save money by > cutting > > out the middle man > > So, you shouldn’t deal with internet agents, yet customers have realized > you > > can save money and get better service by booking direct booking > (whatever > > that is) over the internet? > > Thanks for the translation, it’s much clearer now. > > > > Let me translate this for everyone. > > > > Like many small mom-and-pop agencies, George couldn’t make it as a > real > > > > Travel Agent. When consumers wised up and realized that can save > money > > > and > > > > get better service by booking direct booking over the Internet, his > > sales > > > > dropped. > > > Paul, I sure do wish you had an "in" at the IRS. They seem to be > taking > a > > > different view of my business than you do. I am a bit puzzled though. > In > > > one post you tell people to only deal with storefront agencies and now > you > > > are saying that storefront agencies are going broke and are closing > their > > > doors. You might want to get the dosage changed on some of your meds. > We > > > wouldn’t want you going schizo on us again. > > > > It won’t last much longer. When Cruise Lines do what the airlines > and > > > > hotels did and encourage direct electronic booking we’ll finally be > rid > > of > > > > these parasites. > > > Speaking of parasites, how are things on the Unemployment line these > days. > > > Ooops… I’m sorry, I know you like to refer to yourself as a > > "consultant". > > > Now that you are getting close to retirement age I see that a lot of > your > > > fellow "consultants" are getting back into the work force by finding > > > consulting positions behind the grill at their local McDonald’s. OK so > it > > > isn’t a high profile job but you get free uniforms which you can wear > with > > > the bowling shoes you "borrowed" from the Bowl-A-Rama and when the 17 > year > > > old shift manager isn’t watching, you can "borrow" as many Big Mac’s > as > > you > > > can stuff in your pants pockets. I know, it isn’t the fine dining > that > > you > > > are used to like those Friskies Prime Cuts-o-Fish Innards, but times > are > > > tough and I’m sure you’ll do fine. > > > Keep taking your meds and try real hard to remember to attend those > Anger > > > Management classes. You are making such good progress and we are all > proud > > > of you. > > > Your friend, > > > George in PA > > > Countryside Travel www.countryside-travel.com > > > Hell Freezes Over www.cruisemaster.com/voyager.htm > > > Norway 2 www.cruisemaster.com/norway
Response:
Congratulations to Ray He found a way to post his URL and phone number 4 times in less than 30 minutes responding to Ernie’s post concerning the FTC allowing Carnival to bid for RCL And poor old George Leppla only got one in. It must be awful having no clients and just sitting there, day after day, hour after hour, reading each and every message on this newsgroup and posting hundreds of times a week just praying the phone will ring! Ah well when he goes under, there’s always fast food as a second career
Response:
You have got some people issues that you need to deal with. I would rather do what Ray does instead of bashing real people over a newsgroup. I realize that you are probably getting a huge kick out of this whole thing. Unless you are 12, which is what you sound like, I suggest you put some pants on, step away from the computer, and join the real world. I am curious though, why are you so above the rest of us?
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Congratulations to Ray > He found a way to post his URL and phone number 4 times in less than 30 > minutes responding to Ernie’s post concerning the FTC allowing Carnival to > bid for RCL > And poor old George Leppla only got one in. > It must be awful having no clients and just sitting there, day after day, > hour after hour, reading each and every message on this newsgroup and > posting hundreds of times a week just praying the phone will ring! > Ah well when he goes under, there’s always fast food as a second career
Response:
Sean, do what the rest of us have learned to do and just ignore him. I put him in my kill file long ago and I only see his posts when someone else quotes him. For some reason he has a huge dislike for TA’s and Carnival. I guess he has nothing better to do with his time. Gordon I’m going on the MGC-2003 http://www.mgc2003.com/
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> You have got some people issues that you need to deal with. I would rather > do what Ray does instead of bashing real people over a newsgroup. > I realize that you are probably getting a huge kick out of this whole thing. > Unless you are 12, which is what you sound like, I suggest you put some > pants on, step away from the computer, and join the real world. > I am curious though, why are you so above the rest of us? > Congratulations to Ray > He found a way to post his URL and phone number 4 times in less than 30 > minutes responding to Ernie’s post concerning the FTC allowing Carnival to > bid for RCL > And poor old George Leppla only got one in. > It must be awful having no clients and just sitting there, day after day, > hour after hour, reading each and every message on this newsgroup and > posting hundreds of times a week just praying the phone will ring! > Ah well when he goes under, there’s always fast food as a second career
Response:
Maybe Ray and George need to join a nice local travel agency with a nice office in a mall, no complaints against them that has been in business for many years. Maybe some place like Duke’s Travel Adventures in California. No wait, they stole all their clients money and went out of business, while Ray and George are still making people happy with nice vacations. Funny how that works.
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Congratulations to Ray > He found a way to post his URL and phone number 4 times in less than 30 > minutes responding to Ernie’s post concerning the FTC allowing Carnival to > bid for RCL > And poor old George Leppla only got one in. > It must be awful having no clients and just sitting there, day after day, > hour after hour, reading each and every message on this newsgroup and > posting hundreds of times a week just praying the phone will ring! > Ah well when he goes under, there’s always fast food as a second career
Response:
> No wait, they stole all their clients money and went out of business, while > Ray and George are still making people happy with nice vacations. Funny how > that works.
I kind of have to laugh at Paul. For the first 5 years I was open, I was in a storefront location. As the business changed, the focus of my business changed and 4 years ago I moved into a home office. By doing this I am able to work more hours and provide more efficient service to my customers than when I was in the storefront. Consequently, my business is more profitable. According to Paul, I was a good bet back in the old days but now I am not. BTW – Thanks Mike for mentioning my name. It gives me another opportunity to post! <vbg> — George in PA Countryside Travel www.countryside-travel.com Hell Freezes Over www.cruisemaster.com/voyager.htm Norway 2 www.cruisemaster.com/norway
Response:
>I kind of have to laugh at Paul.
Hi George, Yeah, he is always good for a laugh. It is just one of his many inaccuracies that old Slinky writes about us. I always get a kick out of him saying we live in apartments. Of course that is not true but he has never let the truth get in the way of his "story". <;+) Best regards, Ray LIGHTHOUSE TRAVEL 800-719-9917 or 805-566-3905 http://www.lighthousetravel.com
Response:
> I always get a kick out >of him saying we live in apartments. Of course that is not true
OH!!! So then you DO live in trailers!
Response:
Paul, you are hereby banished to my killfile…..go on get in there…….urumph…..there. Now be a good little troll and stay off this NG! Ray and George, don’t let the bastards get you down! MrTractor
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Congratulations to Ray > He found a way to post his URL and phone number 4 times in less than 30 > minutes responding to Ernie’s post concerning the FTC allowing Carnival to > bid for RCL > And poor old George Leppla only got one in. > It must be awful having no clients and just sitting there, day after day, > hour after hour, reading each and every message on this newsgroup and > posting hundreds of times a week just praying the phone will ring! > Ah well when he goes under, there’s always fast food as a second career
Response:
> I always get a kick out >of him saying we live in apartments. Of course that is not true > OH!!! So then you DO live in trailers!
That conjures up a wonderful image of Ray and George sitting side by side at the same dinette table in their seedy trailers, each with only four teeth remaining, working on their websites, and waiting for Jerry Springer to call. <VBG>
Response:
I was thinking… Trump Tower. –Tom – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I always get a kick out >of him saying we live in apartments. Of course that is not true > OH!!! So then you DO live in trailers!
Response:
Could be he’d have better luck with the trailers, since when he came to speak in Palm Beach a few days ago, hardly anyone showed up. That’s Jerry Springer I’m talking about. As for the four teeth, I’ve seen George eating shrimp. You need a lot more than 4 teeth to gobble them up the way he does. <VBG> As for Ray, I’ve never met nor seen a pix of him; will hold further opinion <G> Arlene – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> > I always get a kick out > >of him saying we live in apartments. Of course that is not true > OH!!! So then you DO live in trailers! > That conjures up a wonderful image of Ray and George sitting side by side at > the same dinette table in their seedy trailers, each with only four teeth > remaining, working on their websites, and waiting for Jerry Springer to > call. <VBG>
Response:
Let me translate this for everyone. Like many small mom-and-pop agencies, George couldn’t make it as a real Travel Agent. When consumers wised up and realized that can save money and get better service by booking direct booking over the Internet, his sales dropped. Then airlines, hotels and rental cars offered even greater discounts to encouraged electronic booking and reduced or eliminated Travel Agent commissions. George was hit by a double whammy. He had to close up shop, get rid of the staff and work out of his house to stay afloat. Since airlines, hotels, rental cars and resorts encourage direct electronic booking, cruises are now all he has left. Like the other Internet Cruise Travel Agents working out of their houses or apartments, he’s stuck in a descending spiral. He has few repeat clients and cruise tariffs are continually dropping thus further eroding his sales. He can’t afford to do any real advertising so his website and constantly posting his URL on rec.travel.cruises is all he has left. It won’t last much longer. When Cruise Lines do what the airlines and hotels did and encourage direct electronic booking we’ll finally be rid of these parasites.
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> No wait, they stole all their clients money and went out of business, > while > Ray and George are still making people happy with nice vacations. Funny > how > that works. > I kind of have to laugh at Paul. For the first 5 years I was open, I was in > a storefront location. As the business changed, the focus of my business > changed and 4 years ago I moved into a home office. By doing this I am able > to work more hours and provide more efficient service to my customers than > when I was in the storefront. Consequently, my business is more profitable. > According to Paul, I was a good bet back in the old days but now I am not. > BTW – Thanks Mike for mentioning my name. It gives me another opportunity to > post! <vbg> > — > George in PA > Countryside Travel www.countryside-travel.com > Hell Freezes Over www.cruisemaster.com/voyager.htm > Norway 2 www.cruisemaster.com/norway
Response:
> Let me translate this for everyone. > Like many small mom-and-pop agencies, George couldn’t make it as a real > Travel Agent. When consumers wised up and realized that can save money and > get better service by booking direct booking over the Internet, his sales > dropped.
Paul, I sure do wish you had an "in" at the IRS. They seem to be taking a different view of my business than you do. I am a bit puzzled though. In one post you tell people to only deal with storefront agencies and now you are saying that storefront agencies are going broke and are closing their doors. You might want to get the dosage changed on some of your meds. We wouldn’t want you going schizo on us again. > It won’t last much longer. When Cruise Lines do what the airlines and > hotels did and encourage direct electronic booking we’ll finally be rid of > these parasites.
Speaking of parasites, how are things on the Unemployment line these days. Ooops… I’m sorry, I know you like to refer to yourself as a "consultant". Now that you are getting close to retirement age I see that a lot of your fellow "consultants" are getting back into the work force by finding consulting positions behind the grill at their local McDonald’s. OK so it isn’t a high profile job but you get free uniforms which you can wear with the bowling shoes you "borrowed" from the Bowl-A-Rama and when the 17 year old shift manager isn’t watching, you can "borrow" as many Big Mac’s as you can stuff in your pants pockets. I know, it isn’t the fine dining that you are used to like those Friskies Prime Cuts-o-Fish Innards, but times are tough and I’m sure you’ll do fine. Keep taking your meds and try real hard to remember to attend those Anger Management classes. You are making such good progress and we are all proud of you. Your friend, George in PA Countryside Travel www.countryside-travel.com Hell Freezes Over www.cruisemaster.com/voyager.htm Norway 2 www.cruisemaster.com/norway
Response:
Sean, Paul is a resident troll and complete idiot that has never posted anything useful in this newsgroup. For that reason most of us have killfiled him and never see his asinine posts unless they are quoted. It is really much better never to see anything he posts. Jim
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> You have got some people issues that you need to deal with. I would rather > do what Ray does instead of bashing real people over a newsgroup. > I realize that you are probably getting a huge kick out of this whole thing. > Unless you are 12, which is what you sound like, I suggest you put some > pants on, step away from the computer, and join the real world. > I am curious though, why are you so above the rest of us? > Congratulations to Ray > He found a way to post his URL and phone number 4 times in less than 30 > minutes responding to Ernie’s post concerning the FTC allowing Carnival to > bid for RCL > And poor old George Leppla only got one in. > It must be awful having no clients and just sitting there, day after day, > hour after hour, reading each and every message on this newsgroup and > posting hundreds of times a week just praying the phone will ring! > Ah well when he goes under, there’s always fast food as a second career
Response:
This is making perfect sense to me. The same person who said this: > customers realized that can save money and get better service by booking
direct booking over the Internet, also said this > Avoid the "Internet Agents".
and this: > book direct with the cruise line? Not only will you save money by cutting
out the middle man So, you shouldn’t deal with internet agents, yet customers have realized you can save money and get better service by booking direct booking (whatever that is) over the internet? Thanks for the translation, it’s much clearer now.
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Let me translate this for everyone. > Like many small mom-and-pop agencies, George couldn’t make it as a real > Travel Agent. When consumers wised up and realized that can save money > and > get better service by booking direct booking over the Internet, his sales > dropped. > Paul, I sure do wish you had an "in" at the IRS. They seem to be taking a > different view of my business than you do. I am a bit puzzled though. In > one post you tell people to only deal with storefront agencies and now you > are saying that storefront agencies are going broke and are closing their > doors. You might want to get the dosage changed on some of your meds. We > wouldn’t want you going schizo on us again. > It won’t last much longer. When Cruise Lines do what the airlines and > hotels did and encourage direct electronic booking we’ll finally be rid of > these parasites. > Speaking of parasites, how are things on the Unemployment line these days. > Ooops… I’m sorry, I know you like to refer to yourself as a "consultant". > Now that you are getting close to retirement age I see that a lot of your > fellow "consultants" are getting back into the work force by finding > consulting positions behind the grill at their local McDonald’s. OK so it > isn’t a high profile job but you get free uniforms which you can wear with > the bowling shoes you "borrowed" from the Bowl-A-Rama and when the 17 year > old shift manager isn’t watching, you can "borrow" as many Big Mac’s as you > can stuff in your pants pockets. I know, it isn’t the fine dining that you > are used to like those Friskies Prime Cuts-o-Fish Innards, but times are > tough and I’m sure you’ll do fine. > Keep taking your meds and try real hard to remember to attend those Anger > Management classes. You are making such good progress and we are all proud > of you. > Your friend, > George in PA > Countryside Travel www.countryside-travel.com > Hell Freezes Over www.cruisemaster.com/voyager.htm > Norway 2 www.cruisemaster.com/norway
Response:
Back in the 1950’s, my Mother had a question for the likes of you, Paul. "If you’re so damn smart, why aren’t you rich?" Nuff said. MisterEd <— Another home-based cruiser.
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Let me translate this for everyone. > Like many small mom-and-pop agencies, George couldn’t make it as a real > Travel Agent. When consumers wised up and realized that can save money and > get better service by booking direct booking over the Internet, his sales > dropped. Then airlines, hotels and rental cars offered even greater > discounts to encouraged electronic booking and reduced or eliminated Travel > Agent commissions. George was hit by a double whammy. > He had to close up shop, get rid of the staff and work out of his house to > stay afloat. > Since airlines, hotels, rental cars and resorts encourage direct electronic > booking, cruises are now all he has left. Like the other Internet Cruise > Travel Agents working out of their houses or apartments, he’s stuck in a > descending spiral. He has few repeat clients and cruise tariffs are > continually dropping thus further eroding his sales. He can’t afford to do > any real advertising so his website and constantly posting his URL on > rec.travel.cruises is all he has left. > It won’t last much longer. When Cruise Lines do what the airlines and > hotels did and encourage direct electronic booking we’ll finally be rid of > these parasites. > > No wait, they stole all their clients money and went out of business, > while > > Ray and George are still making people happy with nice vacations. Funny > how > > that works. > I kind of have to laugh at Paul. For the first 5 years I was open, I was > in > a storefront location. As the business changed, the focus of my business > changed and 4 years ago I moved into a home office. By doing this I am > able > to work more hours and provide more efficient service to my customers than > when I was in the storefront. Consequently, my business is more > profitable. > According to Paul, I was a good bet back in the old days but now I am > not. > BTW – Thanks Mike for mentioning my name. It gives me another opportunity > to > post! <vbg> > — > George in PA > Countryside Travel www.countryside-travel.com > Hell Freezes Over www.cruisemaster.com/voyager.htm > Norway 2 www.cruisemaster.com/norway
Response:
Hi Mike, There ya go again Mike, 2 plus 2 equals 5 right. Direct booking over the internet means exactly that — booking electronically directly with the actual service provider (airline, hotel, cruise line, rental agency, resort, etc.), not through an "Internet Agent". An "Internet Agent" as you call them, is another word for a middleman. In this case one who merely adds cost while providing virtually no value added. The Air, Hotel, and Rental Car segments of the travel industry recognized this. They now provide the consumer with incentives for direct electronic booking thus passing on some of their cost savings to him. They have also reduced or eliminated most TA commissions and in some cases add a surcharge for those that demand paper tickets. Look Mike, rather than continually screw up what people are staying, I think it would be better if you stuck to your specific area of expertise — pictures of snowmen. Your friend Paul
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> This is making perfect sense to me. The same person who said this: > customers realized that can save money and get better service by booking > direct booking over the Internet, > also said this > Avoid the "Internet Agents". > and this: > book direct with the cruise line? Not only will you save money by cutting > out the middle man > So, you shouldn’t deal with internet agents, yet customers have realized you > can save money and get better service by booking direct booking (whatever > that is) over the internet? > Thanks for the translation, it’s much clearer now. > > Let me translate this for everyone. > > Like many small mom-and-pop agencies, George couldn’t make it as a real > > Travel Agent. When consumers wised up and realized that can save money > and > > get better service by booking direct booking over the Internet, his > sales > > dropped. > Paul, I sure do wish you had an "in" at the IRS. They seem to be taking a > different view of my business than you do. I am a bit puzzled though. In > one post you tell people to only deal with storefront agencies and now you > are saying that storefront agencies are going broke and are closing their > doors. You might want to get the dosage changed on some of your meds. We > wouldn’t want you going schizo on us again. > > It won’t last much longer. When Cruise Lines do what the airlines and > > hotels did and encourage direct electronic booking we’ll finally be rid > of > > these parasites. > Speaking of parasites, how are things on the Unemployment line these days. > Ooops… I’m sorry, I know you like to refer to yourself as a > "consultant". > Now that you are getting close to retirement age I see that a lot of your > fellow "consultants" are getting back into the work force by finding > consulting positions behind the grill at their local McDonald’s. OK so it > isn’t a high profile job but you get free uniforms which you can wear with > the bowling shoes you "borrowed" from the Bowl-A-Rama and when the 17 year > old shift manager isn’t watching, you can "borrow" as many Big Mac’s as > you > can stuff in your pants pockets. I know, it isn’t the fine dining that > you > are used to like those Friskies Prime Cuts-o-Fish Innards, but times are > tough and I’m sure you’ll do fine. > Keep taking your meds and try real hard to remember to attend those Anger > Management classes. You are making such good progress and we are all proud > of you. > Your friend, > George in PA > Countryside Travel www.countryside-travel.com > Hell Freezes Over www.cruisemaster.com/voyager.htm > Norway 2 www.cruisemaster.com/norway
Response:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >Hi Mike, >There ya go again Mike, 2 plus 2 equals 5 right. >Direct booking over the internet means exactly that — booking >electronically directly with the actual service provider (airline, hotel, >cruise line, rental agency, resort, etc.), not through an "Internet Agent". >An "Internet Agent" as you call them, is another word for a middleman. In >this case one who merely adds cost while providing virtually no value added. >The Air, Hotel, and Rental Car segments of the travel industry recognized >this. They now provide the consumer with incentives for direct electronic >booking thus passing on some of their cost savings to him. They have also >reduced or eliminated most TA commissions and in some cases add a surcharge >for those that demand paper tickets. >Look Mike, rather than continually screw up what people are staying, I think >it would be better if you stuck to your specific area of expertise — >pictures of snowmen. >Your friend >Paul
I believe online booking will escalate when the cruise lines actually begin giving discounts to people booking directly on their sites. Thumper – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> This is making perfect sense to me. The same person who said this: > > customers realized that can save money and get better service by booking > direct booking over the Internet, > also said this > > Avoid the "Internet Agents". > and this: > > book direct with the cruise line? Not only will you save money by >cutting > out the middle man > So, you shouldn’t deal with internet agents, yet customers have realized >you > can save money and get better service by booking direct booking (whatever > that is) over the internet? > Thanks for the translation, it’s much clearer now. > > > Let me translate this for everyone. > > > Like many small mom-and-pop agencies, George couldn’t make it as a >real > > > Travel Agent. When consumers wised up and realized that can save >money > > and > > > get better service by booking direct booking over the Internet, his > sales > > > dropped. > > Paul, I sure do wish you had an "in" at the IRS. They seem to be taking >a > > different view of my business than you do. I am a bit puzzled though. >In > > one post you tell people to only deal with storefront agencies and now >you > > are saying that storefront agencies are going broke and are closing >their > > doors. You might want to get the dosage changed on some of your meds. >We > > wouldn’t want you going schizo on us again. > > > It won’t last much longer. When Cruise Lines do what the airlines and > > > hotels did and encourage direct electronic booking we’ll finally be >rid > of > > > these parasites. > > Speaking of parasites, how are things on the Unemployment line these >days. > > Ooops… I’m sorry, I know you like to refer to yourself as a > "consultant". > > Now that you are getting close to retirement age I see that a lot of >your > > fellow "consultants" are getting back into the work force by finding > > consulting positions behind the grill at their local McDonald’s. OK so >it > > isn’t a high profile job but you get free uniforms which you can wear >with > > the bowling shoes you "borrowed" from the Bowl-A-Rama and when the 17 >year > > old shift manager isn’t watching, you can "borrow" as many Big Mac’s as > you > > can stuff in your pants pockets. I know, it isn’t the fine dining that > you > > are used to like those Friskies Prime Cuts-o-Fish Innards, but times are > > tough and I’m sure you’ll do fine. > > Keep taking your meds and try real hard to remember to attend those >Anger > > Management classes. You are making such good progress and we are all >proud > > of you. > > Your friend, > > George in PA > > Countryside Travel www.countryside-travel.com > > Hell Freezes Over www.cruisemaster.com/voyager.htm > > Norway 2 www.cruisemaster.com/norway
Response:
Oh, I understand it now, so direct booking is going directly with the cruise line is a sure fire way to save money, even though just minutes ago you posted that Sky Auction was able to sell a cruise for less then going direct with Carnival. So even though you say time and time again that the only way to save money is to go direct with the actual service provider, not through an internet agent (which by the way is your term, not mine, now you are saying stupid things then trying to blame others when you are quoted saying them), even though you just posted that going through an internet agent you can get a cruise for fifty cents per day. It’s so much clearer to me know, going direct, in this case booking over the internet directly with Carnival is the only way to save money, UNLESS somebody else happens to be selling it for fifty cents per day, and unless you happen to be the one to mention it. Anybody else who saves money is lying. Go ahead, change your story once again.
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hi Mike, > There ya go again Mike, 2 plus 2 equals 5 right. > Direct booking over the internet means exactly that — booking > electronically directly with the actual service provider (airline, hotel, > cruise line, rental agency, resort, etc.), not through an "Internet Agent". > An "Internet Agent" as you call them, is another word for a middleman. In > this case one who merely adds cost while providing virtually no value added. > The Air, Hotel, and Rental Car segments of the travel industry recognized > this. They now provide the consumer with incentives for direct electronic > booking thus passing on some of their cost savings to him. They have also > reduced or eliminated most TA commissions and in some cases add a surcharge > for those that demand paper tickets. > Look Mike, rather than continually screw up what people are staying, I think > it would be better if you stuck to your specific area of expertise — > pictures of snowmen. > Your friend > Paul > This is making perfect sense to me. The same person who said this: > > customers realized that can save money and get better service by booking > direct booking over the Internet, > also said this > > Avoid the "Internet Agents". > and this: > > book direct with the cruise line? Not only will you save money by > cutting > out the middle man > So, you shouldn’t deal with internet agents, yet customers have realized > you > can save money and get better service by booking direct booking (whatever > that is) over the internet? > Thanks for the translation, it’s much clearer now. > > > Let me translate this for everyone. > > > Like many small mom-and-pop agencies, George couldn’t make it as a > real > > > Travel Agent. When consumers wised up and realized that can save > money > > and > > > get better service by booking direct booking over the Internet, his > sales > > > dropped. > > Paul, I sure do wish you had an "in" at the IRS. They seem to be taking > a > > different view of my business than you do. I am a bit puzzled though. > In > > one post you tell people to only deal with storefront agencies and now > you > > are saying that storefront agencies are going broke and are closing > their > > doors. You might want to get the dosage changed on some of your meds. > We > > wouldn’t want you going schizo on us again. > > > It won’t last much longer. When Cruise Lines do what the airlines and > > > hotels did and encourage direct electronic booking we’ll finally be > rid > of > > > these parasites. > > Speaking of parasites, how are things on the Unemployment line these > days. > > Ooops… I’m sorry, I know you like to refer to yourself as a > "consultant". > > Now that you are getting close to retirement age I see that a lot of > your > > fellow "consultants" are getting back into the work force by finding > > consulting positions behind the grill at their local McDonald’s. OK so > it > > isn’t a high profile job but you get free uniforms which you can wear > with > > the bowling shoes you "borrowed" from the Bowl-A-Rama and when the 17 > year > > old shift manager isn’t watching, you can "borrow" as many Big Mac’s as > you > > can stuff in your pants pockets. I know, it isn’t the fine dining that > you > > are used to like those Friskies Prime Cuts-o-Fish Innards, but times are > > tough and I’m sure you’ll do fine. > > Keep taking your meds and try real hard to remember to attend those > Anger > > Management classes. You are making such good progress and we are all > proud > > of you. > > Your friend, > > George in PA > > Countryside Travel www.countryside-travel.com > > Hell Freezes Over www.cruisemaster.com/voyager.htm > > Norway 2 www.cruisemaster.com/norway
Response:
>There ya go again Mike, 2 plus 2 equals 5 right.
For sufficiently large values of 2 … Be seeing you In the Village Number 6
Response:
I met George last month on the Inspiration and with his huge smile be assured he has plenty of teeth, to go along with his neat personality. Also what is wrong with living in a trailer? I do and it’s paid for, and so is my 2002 Mercedes.
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Let me translate this for everyone. > Like many small mom-and-pop agencies, George couldn’t make it as a real > Travel Agent. When consumers wised up and realized that can save money and > get better service by booking direct booking over the Internet, his sales > dropped. Then airlines, hotels and rental cars offered even greater > discounts to encouraged electronic booking and reduced or eliminated Travel > Agent commissions. George was hit by a double whammy. > He had to close up shop, get rid of the staff and work out of his house to > stay afloat. > Since airlines, hotels, rental cars and resorts encourage direct electronic > booking, cruises are now all he has left. Like the other Internet Cruise > Travel Agents working out of their houses or apartments, he’s stuck in a > descending spiral. He has few repeat clients and cruise tariffs are > continually dropping thus further eroding his sales. He can’t afford to do > any real advertising so his website and constantly posting his URL on > rec.travel.cruises is all he has left. > It won’t last much longer. When Cruise Lines do what the airlines and > hotels did and encourage direct electronic booking we’ll finally be rid of > these parasites.
Paul, The only parasite I see is you. You are such a bore! After all these years, there is no hope for you~ you are the King of Misery! Jean
Response:
George and Ray, Should we tell Paul that 95% of all cruises are booked through travel agents? Or that over 80% of domestic airline tickets and 90% of international airline tickets are booked through travel agents? How about that in 1958, long before the internet was a twinkle in Al Gore’s eyes <G>, that airlines sold only 20% of their airline tickets through travel agents? Or that when airlines started cutting commissions, that the number of people booking their airline tickets through travel agents INCREASED? Perhaps that he doesn’t realize that when he buys tickets through sites such as Skyacution that he is really buying a ticket that already was pruchased through a travel agent. Or that travel agents actually can give you a better deal than the cruise lines, since the lines don’t refund the commission. Perhaps he doesm’t want to listen to the truth. Tom Smith
Response:
Correct Thumper. Currently they do not only because that would anger Travel Agents. Cruise Lines do not yet have the infrastructure to fully support on-line booking as the airlines, hotels and rental car agencies do so they need the agents. Of course is will change in time.
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->Hi Mike, >There ya go again Mike, 2 plus 2 equals 5 right. >Direct booking over the internet means exactly that — booking >electronically directly with the actual service provider (airline, hotel, >cruise line, rental agency, resort, etc.), not through an "Internet Agent". >An "Internet Agent" as you call them, is another word for a middleman. In >this case one who merely adds cost while providing virtually no value added. >The Air, Hotel, and Rental Car segments of the travel industry recognized >this. They now provide the consumer with incentives for direct electronic >booking thus passing on some of their cost savings to him. They have also >reduced or eliminated most TA commissions and in some cases add a surcharge >for those that demand paper tickets. >Look Mike, rather than continually screw up what people are staying, I think >it would be better if you stuck to your specific area of expertise — >pictures of snowmen. >Your friend >Paul > I believe online booking will escalate when the cruise lines actually > begin giving discounts to people booking directly on their sites. > Thumper >> This is making perfect sense to me. The same person who said this: >> > customers realized that can save money and get better service by booking >> direct booking over the Internet, >> also said this >> > Avoid the "Internet Agents". >> and this: >> > book direct with the cruise line? Not only will you save money by >cutting >> out the middle man >> So, you shouldn’t deal with internet agents, yet customers have realized >you >> can save money and get better service by booking direct booking (whatever >> that is) over the internet? >> Thanks for the translation, it’s much clearer now. >> > > Let me translate this for everyone. >> > > Like many small mom-and-pop agencies, George couldn’t make it as a >real >> > > Travel Agent. When consumers wised up and realized that can save >money >> > and >> > > get better service by booking direct booking over the Internet, his >> sales >> > > dropped. >> > Paul, I sure do wish you had an "in" at the IRS. They seem to be taking >a >> > different view of my business than you do. I am a bit puzzled though. >In >> > one post you tell people to only deal with storefront agencies and now >you >> > are saying that storefront agencies are going broke and are closing >their >> > doors. You might want to get the dosage changed on some of your meds. >We >> > wouldn’t want you going schizo on us again. >> > > It won’t last much longer. When Cruise Lines do what the airlines and >> > > hotels did and encourage direct electronic booking we’ll finally be >rid >> of >> > > these parasites. >> > Speaking of parasites, how are things on the Unemployment line these >days. >> > Ooops… I’m sorry, I know you like to refer to yourself as a >> "consultant". >> > Now that you are getting close to retirement age I see that a lot of >your >> > fellow "consultants" are getting back into the work force by finding >> > consulting positions behind the grill at their local McDonald’s. OK so >it >> > isn’t a high profile job but you get free uniforms which you can wear >with >> > the bowling shoes you "borrowed" from the Bowl-A-Rama and when the 17 >year >> > old shift manager isn’t watching, you can "borrow" as many Big Mac’s as >> you >> > can stuff in your pants pockets. I know, it isn’t the fine dining that >> you >> > are used to like those Friskies Prime Cuts-o-Fish Innards, but times are >> > tough and I’m sure you’ll do fine. >> > Keep taking your meds and try real hard to remember to attend those >Anger >> > Management classes. You are making such good progress and we are all >proud >> > of you. >> > Your friend, >> > George in PA >> > Countryside Travel www.countryside-travel.com >> > Hell Freezes Over www.cruisemaster.com/voyager.htm >> > Norway 2 www.cruisemaster.com/norway
Response:
go feed you kittens will ya
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Oh, I understand it now, so direct booking is going directly with the cruise > line is a sure fire way to save money, even though just minutes ago you > posted that Sky Auction was able to sell a cruise for less then going direct > with Carnival. So even though you say time and time again that the only way > to save money is to go direct with the actual service provider, not through > an internet agent (which by the way is your term, not mine, now you are > saying stupid things then trying to blame others when you are quoted saying > them), even though you just posted that going through an internet agent you > can get a cruise for fifty cents per day. > It’s so much clearer to me know, going direct, in this case booking over the > internet directly with Carnival is the only way to save money, UNLESS > somebody else happens to be selling it for fifty cents per day, and unless > you happen to be the one to mention it. Anybody else who saves money is > lying. > Go ahead, change your story once again. > Hi Mike, > There ya go again Mike, 2 plus 2 equals 5 right. > Direct booking over the internet means exactly that — booking > electronically directly with the actual service provider (airline, hotel, > cruise line, rental agency, resort, etc.), not through an "Internet > Agent". > An "Internet Agent" as you call them, is another word for a middleman. In > this case one who merely adds cost while providing virtually no value > added. > The Air, Hotel, and Rental Car segments of the travel industry recognized > this. They now provide the consumer with incentives for direct electronic > booking thus passing on some of their cost savings to him. They have also > reduced or eliminated most TA commissions and in some cases add a > surcharge > for those that demand paper tickets. > Look Mike, rather than continually screw up what people are staying, I > think > it would be better if you stuck to your specific area of expertise — > pictures of snowmen. > Your friend > Paul > > This is making perfect sense to me. The same person who said this: > > > customers realized that can save money and get better service by > booking > > direct booking over the Internet, > > also said this > > > Avoid the "Internet Agents". > > and this: > > > book direct with the cruise line? Not only will you save money by > cutting > > out the middle man > > So, you shouldn’t deal with internet agents, yet customers have realized > you > > can save money and get better service by booking direct booking > (whatever > > that is) over the internet? > > Thanks for the translation, it’s much clearer now. > > > > Let me translate this for everyone. > > > > Like many small mom-and-pop agencies, George couldn’t make it as a > real > > > > Travel Agent. When consumers wised up and realized that can save > money > > > and > > > > get better service by booking direct booking over the Internet, his > > sales > > > > dropped. > > > Paul, I sure do wish you had an "in" at the IRS. They seem to be > taking > a > > > different view of my business than you do. I am a bit puzzled though. > In > > > one post you tell people to only deal with storefront agencies and now > you > > > are saying that storefront agencies are going broke and are closing > their > > > doors. You might want to get the dosage changed on some of your meds. > We > > > wouldn’t want you going schizo on us again. > > > > It won’t last much longer. When Cruise Lines do what the airlines > and > > > > hotels did and encourage direct electronic booking we’ll finally be > rid > > of > > > > these parasites. > > > Speaking of parasites, how are things on the Unemployment line these > days. > > > Ooops… I’m sorry, I know you like to refer to yourself as a > > "consultant". > > > Now that you are getting close to retirement age I see that a lot of > your > > > fellow "consultants" are getting back into the work force by finding > > > consulting positions behind the grill at their local McDonald’s. OK so > it > > > isn’t a high profile job but you get free uniforms which you can wear > with > > > the bowling shoes you "borrowed" from the Bowl-A-Rama and when the 17 > year > > > old shift manager isn’t watching, you can "borrow" as many Big Mac’s > as > > you > > > can stuff in your pants pockets. I know, it isn’t the fine dining > that > > you > > > are used to like those Friskies Prime Cuts-o-Fish Innards, but times > are > > > tough and I’m sure you’ll do fine. > > > Keep taking your meds and try real hard to remember to attend those > Anger > > > Management classes. You are making such good progress and we are all > proud > > > of you. > > > Your friend, > > > George in PA > > > Countryside Travel www.countryside-travel.com > > > Hell Freezes Over www.cruisemaster.com/voyager.htm > > > Norway 2 www.cruisemaster.com/norway